Executive Director of People and Culture in Ewell

At Samaritans, every conversation that saves a life begins with someone choosing to give their time, care and compassion. Together, our team of more than 23,000 volunteers and 300 staff makes Samaritans what it is. Our people work side by side, creating a community that transforms lives every day.

We are now seeking an exceptional Executive Director of People and Culture to join our Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the CEO. In this role you’ll influence our strategy and champion the experience, culture and leadership that enables our people to thrive. This is a rare opportunity to lead with heart and strategy, shaping a culture where volunteers and staff feel valued, connected and empowered to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people during crisis so no one feels alone in their darkest moments.

Samaritans is on an ambitious journey of change, evolving how we work, strengthening collaboration across the organisation and ensuring our systems, structures, culture and leadership enable us to meet the growing need for our life‑saving listening services. You could not be joining us at a more pivotal time and the experience of our people has never been more important. We want Samaritans to be a place where people feel valued, heard and able to contribute fully to our cause. A place where connection, collaboration and compassion shape how we work together, so that we can continue to be there for all who need us now and in the years ahead in our mission to reduce suicide rates.

As Executive Director of People and Culture, you’ll play a central role in our future. Every decision you make, every strategy you implement, and the culture you help us to shape within this role will matter to many, because when it comes to suicide, tomorrow really is too late.

About the Role

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you’ll lead the People Strategy and provide executive leadership across the Samaritans community. You’ll ensure that our culture reflects our values of trust, collaboration, inclusion and high performance, connecting staff and volunteers in a shared purpose. This role spans the full spectrum of people experience across staff and volunteering, from recruitment, engagement, development, and wellbeing, to pay and reward, equity, diversity, inclusion and retention, providing strategic oversight that enables our volunteer and paid workforce to deliver life‑saving impact. You’ll help ensure Samaritans is an employer and volunteering organisation of choice, strengthening leadership, culture and people experience to support our ambitious transformation journey.

About You

We are looking for a values‑driven compassionate and personable senior leader with a proven track record of leading people strategy, cultural transformation and organisational change. You’ll bring:

• Experience leading and developing high‑performing teams in complex organisations
• Expertise in driving culture change with measurable impact
• Ability to inspire and connect with both volunteers and staff at all levels
• Strategic and evidence‑based decision‑making aligned with organisational goals
• Passion for equity, diversity, inclusion and embedding lived experience in culture and decision‑making
• Credibility, integrity, resilience, and the ability to lead people through change in a complex, purpose‑driven organisation

You are someone who wants to see the real difference your leadership makes, not just in strategy documents, but in people’s lives. This is a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity to shape the culture, leadership and people experience that will allow Samaritans to be there for everyone who needs us, now and in the years ahead. Your leadership will directly influence how we connect, support, and empower those who change lives every day.

If this sounds like you, and you’re looking for your next challenge, we’d love to hear from you.

The contract terms

Our full time hours are 35 hours per week, but we are committed to flexible working and offer a hybrid approach to working. Members of our ELT are expected to be in person at one of our offices at least once a week and sometimes more. Due to the nature of our work, regular evening and weekend working is required of ELT members with time off in lieu given. Hybrid working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. This role is linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office with a blend of home working and option to work out of our London office as required.

Criminal record check (DBS): We take safeguarding seriously at Samaritans and follow safe recruitment practices. As this role has direct contact with children and adults at risk, this role will require an Enhanced DBS check with Adults and Children’s Barred Lists. At offer stage, as part of the conditional job offer, we will require the candidate to disclose in full, spent and unspent convictions by completing a declaration form. The declaration form will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process.

About Samaritans

You’ll join a values‑led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland. We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised and other minority groups, as these people are under‑represented at Samaritans.

To Apply

Please complete the online application form including the questions outlined below and submit these along with your CV, with a brief supporting statement.

• Describe your experience delivering a People and Culture strategy within a complex organisation, what mattered most to you and what did you achieve? (300 words max)
• Samaritans is on an ambitious journey of organisational change. Whilst describing a specific example where you personally led a significant cultural or organisational transformation, outline what would be important to you and what you would do in this role to quickly be instrumental in leading this change. (300 words max)
• In your own words - what makes you the right person for the Executive Director of People and Culture role at Samaritans? Outline how your unique leadership helps ensure our staff and volunteers feel valued, connected and able to contribute fully to our mission now and in the years to come? (300 words max)
• Our advert begins with the question: “What have you done today that really changed someone’s life?” What does that question mean to you as a leader, and how would you ensure Samaritans people see and feel how valuable their contribution is to our overall mission? (300 words max)

At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do. We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team. We kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, or to generate interview answers. We want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths.

Interviews

All applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their application, at the appropriate time. The interview process will be in two possibly three stages, allowing enough time to connect with leaders and explore this great opportunity with candidates. In‑person interviews will be taking place as outlined; First stage Interviews: London City Hub Office (Leadenhall) on 16th or 17th April Second stage Interviews: Ewell Office (Epsom, Surrey) on Monday 20th April Final Interviews: Ewell Office (Epsom, Surrey) on Thursday 23rd April. Please hold these dates in diaries if applying.